Having a creative mind and a way with words, Moses Pascua enjoys writing and has a Journalism degree. Always in athletics, he was a track champion and believes physical fitness is the answer to longevity. He is proficient and teaches martial arts. He loves, and is knowledgeable about, all sports. He enjoys a day at the horse races, and in high school was asked to become a jockey because of his size and athleticism. With a slingshot, David was able to hit the giant Goliath right between the eyes and knock him down.
Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao did the exact same thing. Using his speedy punches, he won by technical knockout over the taller Oscar “Golden Boy” De La Hoya at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday, December 6, 2008.
The 5-ft. 6-in. Pacquiao was actually the bigger man, weighing in at 148-1/2 pounds, while De La Hoya at 5-ft. 10 in. came in at 147 pounds. During this “fight of the year,” Pacquiao pummeled the former Olympic gold medalist with lightning fast blows to the head and body.
De La Hoya's face was so swollen, his left eye started to close. The lethargic De La Hoya looked 45, instead of 35 and couldn't answer the barrage of punches coming at him.
After losing all eight rounds and not punching back in the seventh, his corner decided to throw in the towel. De La Hoya met the 29-year old Pacquiao in the middle of the ring and congratulated him before the ninth bell.
"Speed was the answer to this fight,” Pacquiao said afterwards in an HBO interview. “I'm only surprised that my trainer picked the correct round."
Nacho Beristain, De La hoya's trainer said his fighter would win the ninth round, while Freddie Roach, the trainer for Pacquiao, picked the ninth round for it to end.
The filipino champ said, "I knew right away from the first round that I had him. I controlled the fight. I was able to defend against his jab. I was connecting with everything, he was connecting with nothing."
"Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter and he put on a great fight,” De La Hoya said of his opponent. “He was the better man tonight and he deserves all the credit. I couldn't figure out his style."
When asked if he'll retire, De La Hoya replied, "Obviously, we'll see what happens."
Roach knew all along De La Hoya could not "pull the trigger,” and De La Hoya told Roach after the fight, "You were right Freddie, I don't have it anymore."
Roach trained Pacquiao to fight inside and keep moving and utilize his quickness.
"Our dream came true tonight," Roach said. "In round one, I knew we had him. He had no legs he was hesitant and he was shot."
Thousands of fans were on hand cheering with every punch Pacquiao landed and they went wild when De La Hoya didn't answer the ninth bell. Nicknamed "The Mexicutioner" because he defeated a string of future Hall of Famers in his past fights, Pacquiao landed 45 power punches in the seventh round. It was the most any fighter ever landed on De La Hoya in any one round during his 16-year career. De La Hoya grabbed the top rope after Pacquiao threw vicious shots to the head.
Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36KOs) earned about $11 million, while De La Hoya (39-6-0, 30KOs) made about $20 million. Plus, each will get a cut from the Pay-Per-View revenues. Pacquiao can call his shots come next fight, in regards to payday. He says he'll drop down in weight to 135-140.
Yes, the underdog, little guy chopped down the 2-1 favorite bigger fighter. Size doesn't matter and Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao proved it. This pound-for-pound champion's future is brighter than ever, and he is ready to take on all-comers, any place, any size.